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Ntombiyolwandle Ndlovu, Sunday Leisure Reporter
THE old adage that prophets are not honoured in their own countries has proved to be true for Joe Maseko, who is not well-known in Zimbabwe, but is a household name in neighbouring Botswana, where his works are celebrated and respected.
The 41-year-old Bulawayo-born music producer, sound engineer and executive director of House of Rising Sounds Studio in Gwabalanda has been in the music industry for 16 years but his name does not command respect in his own country.
While that does not sit well with him, Maseko is proud that his productions have been well- accepted in Botswana after he worked with the award-winning group, Culture Spears.
In an interview with Sunday Leisure, Maseko said that he had produced and engineered albums for Mantshwabisi and Culture Spears — music groups in Botswana.
“In 2003 I engineered and produced an album for Mantshwabisi. This album persuaded Culture Spears to want to record with me. In 2004, I then received Culture Spears members in my home after they had been referred to me by Mantshwabisi. We worked together until we recorded their debut six-track album called Korone in 2005 that toured to neighbouring countries,” said Maseko.
The success of the album Korone saw Maseko recording Culture Spears’ best ever album Kulenyane that was followed by equally good Khudu and Chika.
“I have since recorded seven albums with Culture Spears and these albums have seen the group touring the region and some parts of Europe. These include the popular Kulenyana and Khudu. These recordings got me a presidential certificate of honour from the President of Botswana Ian Khama. As a result, the album stands as my best ever in my career,” Maseko said.
Maseko even helped the group to establish a state-of-the-art music studio.
Besides Culture Spears, Maseko has produced for Isaac Maleyi and Maxy in Botswana and Mkhaya, a Zimbabwean group based in South Africa. Maseko did not abandon his home studio as he has produced for local artistes.
“I am still producing for artistes and groups here and at the moment I am recording with choral groups. I can say that I am teacher as I also informally train and teach the youth how to produce and engineer music. I also want to bring in girls that are interested in music,” he said.
Many artistes have passed through the hands of the legendary Maseko. The likes of Sandra Ndebele cut their teeth there as he recorded her first album Tshaya Tshaya and Mama. He also worked with Iyasa on the song Lapha Kwami Kuyahlaba, and even helped muster Jeys Marabini’s first album, not forgetting the late Beatar Mangethe’s album I come from Makokoba.
Maseko has also worked with Black Umfolosi, Ishe John Gara, Velaphi “VG” Gumbo and Obadiah Mathulana. Despite assisting many successful artistes, Maseko believes that he is not appreciated at home.
“I still want to do more in the music industry and right now my main aim is to do live recordings like drums. For now space is limiting me as my studio is in my house. However, that is not going to stop me from spreading my wings,” he said.
When Maseko is not in the studio, he likes to have peace and quietness and likes travelling to Victoria Falls and playing basketball.
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